International Award for Research into a Rare Form of Ovarian Cancer
A research team led by Prof. Dr. Kirsten Kübler at the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) has received the Rhonda’s Award 2027 from the Mucinous Ovarian Cancer Coalition, worth $100,000, for its project investigating the origins of mucinous ovarian cancer. The researchers are studying which cells this rare form of ovarian cancer develops from and which early changes influence tumor development. Their goal is to identify biomarkers that could, in the future, help better assess an individual’s risk of developing the disease and contribute to the development of more targeted treatment approaches. In the interview, Prof. Dr. Kirsten Kübler discusses the significance of the award, the objectives of her research project, and the next steps.
What does winning this award mean to you, both professionally and personally?
The award is particularly significant for our work, as it enables us to investigate previously unresolved aspects of mucinous ovarian cancer development. Personally, I am pleased and motivated that our reserach is supported by an organization that is closely connected to patients and their families. This encourages us to continue developing our findings with the long-term goal of benefiting patients.
What do you think convinced the jury about your work, and what, specifically, are you being recognized for?
I believe that the integration of different disciplines is a particular strength of our work. Together with Dr. Francesca Tiso from the BIH and Dr. Eldar Abdullaev from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, we link clinical questions with genomic experiments and computational analyses. This allows us to examine mucinous ovarian cancer development from distinct but complementary perspectives. Our project was recognized for addressing the fundamental question of which normal cell type gives rise to mucinous ovarian cancer and how this cellular origin influences later tumor behavior.
Looking back on the past few years of research, what were the biggest challenges you faced and what kept you going?
A major challenge is the analysis of potential precursor lesions of mucinous ovarian cancer, as these are often small and available only in archived tissue samples. This complicates molecular characterization and makes it necessary to develop new methods. We were particularly motivated by the biological mystery that this disease poses. The tumor cells of mucinous ovarian cancer resemble mucus-producing cells of the gastrointestinal tract, even though such cells do not naturally occur in either the ovary or the fallopian tube. It is thus fascinating to understand which normal cell type gives rise to mucinous ovarian cancer and at what point during tumorigeneses these cell properties, which are unusual for the ovary, emerge.
Ultimately, how could your research change the lives of patients?
Mucinous ovarian cancer is a clinical challenge as the disease is biologically very heterogeneous, which is only partially reflected by current classification systems. By studying possible cells-of-origin and different developmental pathways, we can better understand the biological basis of this heterogeneity and identify markers that could ultimately enable more precise risk stratification and help tailor treatment to individual risk.
What’s next for your research, and what is the big question you’re most eager to answer right now?
I look forward to continuing to work with our colleagues in berlin and internationally. In particular, I am driven by the question of how early in tumor development the characteristics that later determine its behavior are established. Answering this question is relevant far beyond mucinous ovarian cancer and could contribute substantially to a better understanding of why tumors behave differently in individual patients.